Eugene (Gene) P. LeClair, Jr. (1943-2023)

On August 23, 2023, Eugene (Gene) P. LeClair, Jr. passed from this life into eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Gene was born March 30, 1943, in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Eugene P. LeClair, Sr. and Mildred LeClair. He grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts and graduated from Somerville High School. In December 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Special Forces in Germany and the Republic of Vietnam serving in three out of seven campaigns. At the end of his tour in Vietnam, he was honorably discharged from the Army.

After his enlisted service, he set about to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a pilot in the military. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Dayona Beach, FL to complete his college education and reenlisted in the Army in 1972. (Later, he would earn his master's degree in aviation management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.) Upon graduating from Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.  Almost immediately, he began Army artillery training, after which he transferred to aviation and started flight training. He realized his dream by becoming a helicopter pilot in 1973 and then an instructor pilot in Fort Rucker, AL. After 16 years in Army aviation, he transferred to information technology. While still in Fort Rucker, he wrote and taught a graduate-level course in flight simulation. After leaving Fort Rucker, he served seven years in the Pentagon with information technology. In 1988, after 23 years of service and 25 moves, he retired as a Major.

During his years of military service, he received numerous awards and medals. In his initial training, he earned the Parachutist Badge. He earned the combat action badge in Vietnam. In Vietnam, he earned the Air Medal for his service during which, as a Green Beret, he actively participated in more than 25 aerial missions over hostile territory. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, three Vietnam Service Medals, and two Army Commendation Medals, one for an act of valor in Vietnam as well as one for meritorious service in Hawaii. As a pilot, he earned a master aviator badge. He also earned the Army Good Conduct Medal.

In 1989, Gene married Marianne (Maggi) Creed, and they moved with her two children to Panama City Beach, FL, to be closer to his children in Dothan, AL. He became a member of and very involved in Forest Park United Methodist Church. He was a faithful member of the choir, served as a greeter and usher, worked with a team to start a Stephen Ministry, and helped in various ministries.

Gene was also involved in the community and especially enjoyed community theater. He performed in many plays at Kaleidoscope Theater in Lynn Haven, FL; and he appeared in productions of Who Dunnit, Foreigner, Fools, The Christmas Carol, The Crucible, 1776, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Spiral Staircase, and God's Favorite.

2000 brought a move. This time to Jacksonville, FL, where he joined Lake Shore United Methodist Church. Once again, he joined the choir, and he worked with Maggi to start a Stephen Ministry at Lake Shore. While there, he took his first mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Then after a presentation by the founder of the Bread for Life ministry in Cameroon, Africa, in 2004, Gene embarked on what was the first of ten annual medical mission trips to Cameroon in 2005 at the age of 60. He served in the pharmacy to dispense the medicines the mission teams brought with them and shared his testimony at evening services. On his third trip, he was honored with an African chief's ceremonial robe for his service, leadership, and faithfulness.

Gene moved back to Panama City Beach in 2007 and returned to worship and serve at Forest Park United Methodist Church. After having worked in the pharmacy during his mission trips to Cameroon, Gene was inspired to serve the community by volunteering at the pharmacy at Tyndall Air Force Base where he helped meet the medical needs of active duty and retired military members and their families for many years. He received numerous awards for his volunteer service including the President's Volunteer Service Award.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert LeClair. He is survived by his loving wife; his daughter, Jennifer Alley, of Wilmington, NC; his son, Jason LeClair, of Longwood, FL; his stepsons, Benjamin Prather, of Panama City, and Daniel Prather of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Keirston (Alley) Murkel, of Virginia Beach, VA, Christian Alley, of Statesville, NC, Kristen and Chase Prather of Colorado Springs, CO, and Lauren Methven of Orlando, FL; and sister Maria LeClair of Lynn, MA.

Gene was a loving, kind, and forgiving man who was always ready to share a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a hug, a prayer, or a testimony of his faith. He was a loving and faithful husband, and a loving and encouraging father, stepfather, and grandfather. He devoted his life to serving God, his family, his country, and his community. He will never be forgotten and will be greatly missed.

The Celebration of Life Service for Gene will be held at Forest Park Church at 1401 West 23rd Street, Panama City, FL 32401. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Forest Park Church. https://fpcpc.org/give